Kevin Durant says Suns ‘scapegoated’ him after trade request – Basketball Insider
Durant opens up about leaving Phoenix
Kevin Durant made headlines this week with his candid comments about how his time with the Phoenix Suns is ending. In a recent interview, Durant said he felt the team and its fan base were being “scapegoated” and that he didn’t want to be traded when the Suns first contacted him about leaving.
Durant said the situation didn’t start with him pushing for a transfer. “They didn’t want to build around me,” he explained, according to the interview. “I didn’t want to be traded.” Those words provided rare clarity for a superstar who tends to keep his inner thoughts private.
split background
Durant signed with the Suns as a free agent in 2023. Phoenix hopes to build a championship contender around him along with Devin Booker and other key pieces. Expectations soared, but the team fell short of a title and internal issues seemed to surface in the playoffs.
In the end, the Suns traded Durant to the Houston Rockets before the 2025 season. While trades are common in the modern NBA, Durant’s comments indicate that the move was not his first choice.
He said that instead of leaving on his own terms, the Suns made the decision for him. Durant’s use of the word “scapegoat” means he feels he’s being blamed for an outcome he has no complete control over.
Kevin Durant wins over his former team! ! ! 😤🔥 pic.twitter.com/cRSrjsXg4O
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 6, 2026
How Durant built it
Durant wasn’t attacking specific teammates or coaches. Instead, he focused his criticism on organizational decisions and narratives. Now, he said, the situation has become about pointing fingers rather than achieving success.
“I don’t want to be a villain,” Durant said as he reflected on how fans and media described his departure. He added that while he continued to put up strong numbers and contribute on both ends of the floor, the narrative about his time in Phoenix changed as the season went on.
Fan and analyst reactions
Reaction was mixed on social media and from experts. Some sympathized with Durant’s sentiments, noting that organizational initiatives are often oversimplified in public conversations. Others believe championship expectations are fair given the talent on Phoenix’s roster.
While Durant’s comments won’t change history, they do add depth to one of the most discussed team moves in recent NBA memory.
Durant’s role with Rockets
Now with the Rockets, Durant is both a leader and a star scorer. He continues to perform at a high level, using his elite scoring and shot-creating abilities to elevate Houston’s offense. His presence has helped the Rockets remain competitive in a tough Western Conference.
Durant’s reflections on Phoenix illustrate how personal and complex an NBA career can be. Superstars grab the headlines for their scores and wins, but the stories behind the scenes are often just as important. Whether fans agree with Durant’s sentiments or not, his comments add a new chapter to the journey of one of the league’s most fascinating players.
